The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-17
A VALUABLE WORK ON CREMATION.

DR.. Hugo Erichsen' g recently pubEsbed vol
uIne on Ihe Cremation Of the Dead considers
the subject of cremation from ian aesthetic.
sanitary, religious, historical, medieo. LEGAL
and economical standpoint:" and from each
point OF view, finds abundant argument for
the substitution of cremation for burial
burning dead bodies instead of consign.
ing them to the slow processes of putrefac.
ton in the grave. The volume ia the most
complete repository of facts and arguments
relatlng to this subject which has appeared
IN thls country. We doubt if Europe mas
produced more useful or oomprehe, sive
work on this special topic. Tbe suslsr d.
scrlbes the custom of incarceration as if ex-
lsted IN the ancient nations. He dates back
lts history to nearly ,, 900 years before Christ.
and hnds traces of the custom among nations
not generally regarded as favorjnp this
method OF disposing of the dead-the Egypt-
iahS ana the Hebrews. for example. He
shows how from India cremation extended
TO Europe and was adopted by the Indo. Ger
manic peoples. The recent progress that
cremation has made in Europe and this conn
Try Is also detailed at length. The evils of
burial and the sanitary aspects of the cues
tion are largely discussed; and the reader will
perhaps be astonished at the array of well
known scientific names which are quoted in
IaVor OF cremation and against the present
custom of burial. The present state of the
reform is also dwelt upon, and some surpris.
ing facts and statistics given under this head.
The religious and sentimental argument
against cremation is also examined and in a
very candid spirit. Crematories are now es-
tabllshed in many of our cities. and the
movement is making rapid progress. 1t will
undoubtedly be many years before crema-
ton becomes an accepted custom in either
Europe or America, but the powerful verdict
of science on this matter will have great in
huence: and we may believe that the next
generation will show many converts to this
method of disposing of the dead. Dr. Erich
sens work IS we'll illustrated, and is intro
duced by PREDATORY note from Sir T. Spen-
Ger Wells, late President of the Royal Col
lege Of Surgeons of England, who gives in
his adhesion to cremation in very decided
terms. The work Is very curious and in
teresting volume, the result of wide research
and investigation, and should be read by all
who are interested in this important scien
tiic discussion. Detroit: d. o. HAYNES Il
Co, publishers.
The September North ABtericau Rerfelg
opens with new feature-the first of a series
of papers on" Possible Presidents"to be writ
ten by their most trusted friends. James G.
Blaine heads the list. Capt S H. NJ. Byers
contributes an article on The March to the
Sea-" The Democratic Party Outlook is
thoroughly characteristic paper by the brill
liant Henry Natterson. "The Future Amer
lean" is prophesied from the present one
by William Hosea Ballou. David r. Locke.
in very emphatic way, insists on High
License No Remedy" "Why am not Hea-
them" by Van Phou Lee, the recent Chinese
graduate of Yale College, Is a rejoinder TO
Wong Chin Foo in the August Rerie3e. who
told why he was a heather. Thomas F. Nee
han, editor of the Irish american, answers
Dutlield Osborne on Irish Aid in the Amer
lean Revolution" and marshals host of facts
to prove that no race contributed more to
the achievement of American independence
than the Irish colonists. Edmund Noble, an
expert in the knowledge of Russian govern
ment, history and present affairs, gives his
reasons why there must be "NO American
Siberia" "A Plea for the Pagan Hindoo, "
"What Shall We do with our Daughters"
and an unusually long and attractive array of
book criticisms, complete this number.